How to bring People back to the Box Office

[Escapay]

Saturday, March 18, 2006; Page C01

Movie theater owners got together in Las Vegas this week to discuss blocking cellphone signals at the multiplex. Which got us thinking: Aside from nixing the ringadingdinging during the crucial plot points, what else would make going to the cinema more fun?

· A lifetime industry ban on Rob Schneider.


· Fandango paper bag people found incinerated!


· Halle Berry look-alike in every fourth seat.


· Trailer warning: "Funny scenes depicted in the following preview may constitute all of the funny scenes in film."


· Electrified seat backs: You kick it, you fry.


· The old Plaza Hotel-style treatment: valet parking, fresh flowers, tuxedoed waiters carrying martinis, "Oh, Tim Allen's in it? Just leave the whole pitcher, dahhling."


· Good movies.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 02162.html

May I also add the following:

- Popcorn dispenser so if you finish yours, you don't have to get up and get more

- Ditto a soda dispenser...

- Obligatory search and patdown of every patron before the enter the theater, to make sure their damn cell phone is turned off. Better yet, a cell phone check room, where you check in your cell phone and pick it up at the end of the movie (like coat rooms and hat check...)

- A separate Crying room for people who want to bring their babies (who shouldn't be in a theater anyway because of wonderful things called babysitters)

- Bigger seats, with individual arm rests instead of having to share or take turns.

Escapay

[Karushifa]

These are all great suggestions. Perhaps if there was a theater like that, I'd go to the movies more often...

However, I'd settle for an increase in usher staff at the theaters, or if the idea of an "usher" (who job used to be helping people find their seats) is outmoded, then perhaps cinemas could hire a dedicated, non-teenaged staff whose job it is to escort disruptive people (cell phone users, people with small loud children, people who feel the need to do play-by-play/color commentary of the movie, etc.) out, for the sake of everyone else's enjoyment.

[kbehm29]

I wish there was an easy solution to bring people back to the box office. However, I think that with DVD's and Home Theater Systems....it's a heck of a lot cheaper for people to wait and pay $17 for a DVD than to spend over $50 at the theater.

The only advantage to box office viewing is that you get to see the movie a few months earlier. Personally, I love taking my kids to the movie theater and we do it all the time (at least a few times a month). I'm not the average person though - I have a huge fascination with movies and have a spreadsheet at home tracking upcoming movies through 2009.

Plus, there's the yummy popcorn.

[dvdjunkie]

I really guess that I am very lucky living here in the midwest where people have respect for others in the movie theater. First of all, I have never experienced a random cell phone going off, those doctors and on-call people that are in the theater have them set on vibrate and just get up and leave the area to answer.

All of the theaters here in Wichita have ushers in each theater, and heaven help the person who puts their feet on the back of the seat in front of them. Of course, the fact that we have an entrepreneur named Bill Warren who thinks about these things when he builds his theaters and all the rows have more than enough room between them that you would have to have overly-long legs to even be able to reach the seatback in front of you. Almost all of his theaters have the no-share two armrests per seat which is really great. In the theaters that have full serve restaurants, and we have two of these, the seat rows are almost four feet between rows to allow for the servers to walk through without disturbing your view of the movie or, heavn forbid, knocking someone's food table over and spilling the contents on the floor.

The added thing of having all the theaters stadium-seated, makes for an enjoyable evening at the theater. Also all of the major theaters have cry rooms for adults who don't want to get a baby-sitter and insist on bringing their screaming brats to the show. They have a room of their own and we don't have to put up with them.

Prices at theaters need to be reasnable and if you find the thread that I started about your favorite movie theater, you can click on the website and see actual pictures of these theaters that I am talking about here in Wichita, Kansas. Also there is a short film that introduces you to Bill Warren and helps you understand what this man is all about and why his theaters are so wonderful.

I am in the theater three to five times a week - depending on the product that is out there. Right now there isn't a whole lot that I haven't already seen or even want to see. I am anxiously awaiting May 19, when we get to go to an advanced screening of "Cars" in one of these beautiful, huge theaters.

[Prince Eric]

I thought about this long and hard and I've come up with this crazy suggestion that I think will work, but I know is asking too much:

How about making better movies?

[castleinthesky]

I thought about this long and hard and I've come up with this crazy suggestion that I think will work, but I know is asking too much:

How about making better movies?

What I was going to say exactly.

[lord-of-sith]

I thought about this long and hard and I've come up with this crazy suggestion that I think will work, but I know is asking too much:

How about making better movies?

What I was going to say exactly.

Precisely. I think that if we didn't get a movie like Benchwarmers every other week, we'd see some BO improvement.

[Isidour]

better movies
cheaper tickets
better seats
and free popcorn and soda

n_n

[BrandonH]

Some things that would bring more people to the theater:

1. Longer window before DVD releases

2. Better picture/sound calibration and equipment in theaters

3. Courteous audiences (with the help of ushers/bouncers if necessary)

I am lucky that there are a few theaters near me where I can find the last two items pretty consistently.

[2099net]

I thought about this long and hard and I've come up with this crazy suggestion that I think will work, but I know is asking too much:

How about making better movies?

But that's not exactly the problem is it? Because the same new movies on DVD are still experiencing sales growth (although the growth has fallen to a single digit percentage). Plus movies which are Direct-to-video and generally classed as artistically "poor" are still selling in reasonable amounts.

And this is when DVD purchases have releases of classic older movies to choose from too.

It's clear that DVD etc is having an effect on cinematic releases and takings. With HD releases, I predict the box office will continue to slump.

As Spielberg, Cameron and a few others know, the way to fight back is with new technology. Just as the TV spawned widescreen, and VHS helped to spawn "action blockbusters" DVD/HD is to spawn 3D cinema.

[PatrickvD]

Perhaps maybe balance things more? All the great big budget epics are in either summer or Nov/Dec. It's like the current months are full of rejects and trash. Like, how many truly great movies have we had this year so far? Eight Below and V for Vendetta got good reviews... I already forgot about all the others. And what's up with all the unwanted sequels we didn't ask for. Big Momma 2, that Tyler Perry movie, Miss Congeniality 2, Zorro 2, Underworld Evolution, Basic Insticnt 2. Why do they make sequels to movies that weren't very big hits to begin with or don't lend themselves at ALL for a second film?

Maybe all of that isn't the cause, but it's a trend I noticed. I'm really only going to the movies in summer and winter. All the other months are filled with crap and only have a few good movies.

the upcoming dvd medium is also a big factor I guess. It's just that we don't like to admit this.

[creid]

Simple point

1) Studios are going to have to honest with themselves: The five month release date of the DVD is hurting business. People are getting comfortable that you can watch the movie only 5 - 6 months after release, they may decide to just wait. Also people incomes are moving away from movies into DVD sales.

2) Falling DVD prices are probably hurting the box office. The current pricing $30/MSRP and the first week discounts, you can buy the DVD for less than the price of two tickets. On top of that, six months after the DVD or 1 year after release, the used DVD market is flooded with copies. You can now buy the 2004 best picture, Million Dollar Baby, on amazon for $6.75 w/shipping which is less than one ticket price. To increase ticket sales, the studios are going to have lengthen the DVD window and control the DVD prices.

[Karushifa]

I thought about this long and hard and I've come up with this crazy suggestion that I think will work, but I know is asking too much:

How about making better movies?

But that's not exactly the problem is it? Because the same new movies on DVD are still experiencing sales growth (although the growth has fallen to a single digit percentage). Plus movies which are Direct-to-video and generally classed as artistically "poor" are still selling in reasonable amounts.

And this is when DVD purchases have releases of classic older movies to choose from too.

It's clear that DVD etc is having an effect on cinematic releases and takings. With HD releases, I predict the box office will continue to slump.

As Spielberg, Cameron and a few others know, the way to fight back is with new technology. Just as the TV spawned widescreen, and VHS helped to spawn "action blockbusters" DVD/HD is to spawn 3D cinema.

The thing is, though, that for mediocre to bad movies, people ultimately decide to wait for them to arrive on DVD before viewing them, thus making the DVD demand for them rise. Going to the movies is so pricey, especially for groups of two or more people, that it ultimately comes down to, do we really want to sink $30+ dollars on a so-so movie that we can BUY for $19 in a few months? Thus, the only movies that end up attracting people to the box office are: a) big "event" movies like Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings; b) movies with a lot of kid appeal, like Madagascar, Cheaper By the Dozen, etc. that are good for burning an afternoon with the bored tots (especially crucial during crappy weather); c) really good and/or controversial movies with a huge amount of buzz, like March of the Penguins, Fahrenheit 9/11, etc., that people see because everyone is telling them to.

Not to say that the DVD market hasn't made a big impact. I think a crucial mistake of the movie studios this year was the rapid-fire release of many of this fall's Oscar contenders on DVD either right before or right after the actual awards were presented. The Oscar push has helped some movies make a little extra at the B.O. in previous years, since many people would want to know what all the fuss is about. But again, why see it in the theaters when you can rent it for 4 or five bucks?

[2099net]

The thing is, though, that for mediocre to bad movies, people ultimately decide to wait for them to arrive on DVD before viewing them, thus making the DVD demand for them rise. Going to the movies is so pricey, especially for groups of two or more people, that it ultimately comes down to, do we really want to sink $30+ dollars on a so-so movie that we can BUY for $19 in a few months? Thus, the only movies that end up attracting people to the box office are: a) big "event" movies like Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings;

People do still go to see "Event" movies, but these too are declining.

Revenge of the Sith hasn't made as much as The Phantom Menace has, and there's been inflation since TPM was released. But it will sell roughly as many DVD copies as TPM did - perhaps even more, as it's generally regarded as the best of the prequels.

Same for Harry Potter. The box office incomes of the films are (generally) declining, when by the laws of inflation, they should be going up. (Goblet of Fire has beaten Prisoner of Azkaban, but don't most people still think PoA is the best? So it should have the highest box office if the "better movies" rule is followed?)

Event movies slow the decline, but the decline is still there. DVD is obviously the blame, not the overall quality of a year's releases.

[Karushifa]

People do still go to see "Event" movies, but these too are declining.

Revenge of the Sith hasn't made as much as The Phantom Menace has, and there's been inflation since TPM was released. But it will sell roughly as many DVD copies as TPM did - perhaps even more, as it's generally regarded as the best of the prequels.

Same for Harry Potter. The box office incomes of the films are (generally) declining, when by the laws of inflation, they should be going up. (Goblet of Fire has beaten Prisoner of Azkaban, but don't most people still think PoA is the best? So it should have the highest box office if the "better movies" rule is followed?)

Event movies slow the decline, but the decline is still there. DVD is obviously the blame, not the overall quality of a year's releases.

Prisoner of Azkaban was the critic's darling, but at least the kids I know - which should still be Harry Potter's target audience - preferred Goblet of Fire. It struck me at least as slightly more kid-friendly anyway.

Anyways, DVD is part of the problem, but even when just discussing DVDs, it's clear that the entertainment companies are sort of digging their own hole here, as in, releasing a film just a few months after it has left theaters instead of the traditional six-month-to-a-year schedule (or, in some cases, several years) that was adhered to in the VHS era. So it's not just the quality of DVDs that is to blame: it's also the way they are made available, increasingly as an alternative to cinemas instead of a result (liked the movie, bought the DVD).

With movie houses increasing their ticket and concession prices in order to make up for lost sales, they are probably driving away more business than they can make up, since DVD prices have leveled out at about what VHS tapes used to cost when they dominated the market. So if there is a movie that would not look any better in the theater than it would on TV, then people wait for the DVD., since the latter option is no longer price prohibitive. So there's another problem, theaters driving away their remaining customers. Cushy seats and free refills help to a degree, but $10 for one adult evening ticket is probably higher in people's mind ultimately.

[kbehm29]

I agree with the above poster....

I just wanted to add that the free movie tickets in the DVDs is a great idea. I have taken advantage of a free child's ticket for Chronicles of Narnia, The Shaggy Dog, and now Ice Age 2....as well as an adult ticket for The Pink Panther recently.

Just keep putting the tickets in the DVDs that I buy, and I'll keep taking my kids to the theater.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

When there is an arguement, 2099net does it best!

I keep hearing people say "make better movies", even though 2005 did offer some crap(every year does), there were still alot of great movies as well, they didn't sell well as movies before them.

I think the growth of DVD sales have been killing the box office. I think unless DVDs start producing a little less, box office scores will only go down slighly every year.

Maybe if they decreased the price of tickets. If this happens, I can see more people going to the theaters.

[lord-of-sith]

I keep hearing people say "make better movies", even though 2005 did offer some crap(every year does), there were still alot of great movies as well, they didn't sell well as movies before them.

True, but I think the answer is to give the audience more of what they want. I'm sure people are tired of the same old stupid movie (think Benchwarmers and Bad News Bears as being basically the same, and I don't know why, but I've used Benchwarmers as an example of badness twice now) every week.

Sure, it's not an easy task, but at least advertise these movies better! I mean, The Shaggy Dog could have done better than it did, but the trailer wreaked. I saw that trailer and though 'I don't want to see this'.

Also, it is blatantly apparent that series films do far better than others, but some could argue that its very difficult to make a 1st succesful film to begin with. That is true, but look at Pirates of the Carribean, it had little following (the fact that it was based on a ride wasn't in it's favor (Country Bears Anyone?)). But, it was marketed well, and had a tarn good trailor ta boot! And guess what...it was huge! It is now a series film!

So, after that, what is it I'm babbling about? It's that basically give audience what they want! Even if it be a big-budget, well-made, epic film (and I realize that there are still many that prefer the low-budget character driven films, I for one enjoy both).

But, one more argument must be made. Is it me, or are comedies getting stupider and stupider as the years go by? I'm sure someone in the production at some point must be thinking 'Why on Earth am I working on such a stud movie? And why is Rob Shneider stil getting jobs?'

[yankees]

I feel that there are some things that culd be done to make it better.

I feel that the may-july and november-december need to stop and they shuld release some movies throughout the year.

Like this may is jamed. We have Mission Impossible 3, Poesdion, The Davinci Code, Over The Hedge, and X-Men 3. I think that those movies could probblay make over a 150million each but with each one being so close to each other that they might make only a little over a 100million. Yes the movie business does need competition but I feel that those are too many movies at once.

Even in 2007 in may through june we are going to have
Spiderman 3
Shrek 3
Pirates of The Carribbean 3
Harry Potter and The Order of the Pheonix (Possibly)

All those movies could probblay make over 300million but there way too close to each other and I think that they wont do as good.

So my opinion is that they should have some competition during those months but yet through out the year like in febuarty or october they should have one of those movoies be released so the theater business does strong through out the year.

As for the theater I think they should lower the prices just a little.

As DVD i also feel that they should make them wait more like a half a year to be released. Like Harry Potter just came out over 2 weeks ago and it was only released in November. So intestead they should make ppl wait till may so it does better in the theater.
________
Oxygen Vaporizer

[bambifan56]

Well...quit making crappy remakes of classic films and think of something original...about every movie out now you can go rent the original and save yourself the harshness of having to seen it hacked at by some crappy remake..